Face guard device with sun visor

ABSTRACT

A face mask or face guard with a removable and reattachable bill or visor.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Applications No. 62/696,531 filed on Jul. 11, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to face masks or face guards used in various sports to prevent injury, and more particularly, to a face mask or face guard operable for use in softball or baseball by an infielder, outfielder or other defensive player that comprises a bill or visor that is removably attached to the upper portion of the face mask or face guard to shield a player's vision from the sun or other light source.

BACKGROUND

In softball and baseball a primary concern of players, parents and coaches is to avoid injuries that can result when a player is struck by an errantly pitched, hit or thrown ball. The hardness of regulation softballs and baseballs combined with the high ball speeds achieved present a substantial threat of serious injury in cases where a player is struck in a vulnerable area, particularly the head and face. To reduce the risk of head and face injuries in general, most softball and baseball leagues recommend or require the use of an impact resistant helmet, at least during batting activities and while running the bases. In addition, especially in softball leagues, a face guard is recommended or required to provide an impact resistant shield to protect against facial, dental and eye injuries.

A variety of face guards have been developed during the long history of softball and baseball that serve to deflect hit or thrown balls from contacting a players face while also allowing the player an unobstructed view of the playing filed. The design of these face guards generally includes a stiff guard member that rigidly attaches to the players head via a combination of straps extending around and over the player's head or that attach to a hard helmet worn on the player's head. Some representative examples of various types of face guards are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,886,596; 4,633,531; 5,661,849; 6,598,243; and 7,430,763 and U.S. Published Patent Application Nos. 2012/0210482 and 2014/0020153. The face guards may be constructed with a variety of materials, including plastics (i.e., polycarbonate, polyester, polyvinyl chloride etc.), nylon, steel, cast aluminum and other rigid, impact resistant materials. The face guards may also be constructed with combinations of the foregoing rigid impact resistant materials.

A problem with most softball and baseball face guards is that they are designed to attached to or accommodate a player's helmet, hat or visor. For example, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2014/0020153 has an opening in the upper portion of the face guard designed to allow the bill of a player's hat to pass through opening and allow the bill of the typical baseball cap to shield the player's eyes from the sun or lights during play. The positioning the bill of the hat through the opening of the face guard is a time consuming and cumbersome process. Further the rigid structure of the face guard through which the bill passes will limit the player's ability to mold or form the bill to a desired shape such as an arch to provide optimal sun or light protection.

If the face guard is not equipped with an opening to accommodate the bill of a player's hat or visor, the player will need to forego the sun and light protection offered by the bill of the hat or visor which can lead to the player losing sight of the ball causing unnecessary errors and/or injuries. If the face guard is not equipped with an opening to accommodate the bill of a player's hat or visor, attempts have been made to wear a hat or visor over the face guard. These efforts are generally not favored by the player because the hat will need to be oversized to accommodate the face guard and its attaching straps or if a visor is employed it requires another set of cumbersome straps surrounding a players head.

In view of the above problems, a need exists in the art for a face guard that provides reliable protection against facial injuries from errant softball or baseball impacts, imposes minimal interference with visibility during play while also providing effective shielding of the players eyes from sun and lights during play.

The present invention overcomes these drawbacks and fills these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a face mask or face guard with a removably attached bill or visor. The removably attached bill or visor will shield a player's eyes from the sun and light as would the bill of a typical softball visor or baseball cap.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a face mask or face guard with a removably attached bill or visor wherein the removable bill or visor can be molded or formed to a player's desired shape to provide optimal sun and light protection depending on the player's preference and/or unique facial shape.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a face mask or face guard with a removably attached bill or visor wherein the removable bill or visor can be attached to the face mask or face guard in a plurality of positions allowing the player to adjust the location of the bill or visor to provide optimal sun and light protection depending on the player's preference and/or unique facial shape.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises a face mask or face guard comprising a face protecting frame and a removably attached bill or visor. The face protecting frame comprises a lower frame region, an upper frame region and side frame regions wherein the lower frame region protects a player's chin, mouth and nose area from contact with a softball or baseball, the upper frame region protects a player's eyes and forehead area from contact with a softball or baseball and the side frame regions protect a player's check, jaw and temple area from contact with a softball or baseball. The face protecting frame also comprises an opening between the lower frame region and upper frame region that allows a player to see through the face protecting frame but is sized to prevent the player's eyes from contact with a softball or baseball. The face mask or face guard further comprises a means for attaching the face protecting frame to a player's head.

The removably attached bill or visor is releasably attached to the upper frame region of the face protecting frame. The term releasably attached as used herein means that the bill or visor maybe attached to the face protecting frame in a manner that allows the bill or visor to remain attached to the face protecting frame in a position selected by the player during normal use of the face mask or face guard in a game or practice situation, however, the player may remove the bill or visor during storage, to adjust the position and/or shape of the bill or visor or to replace one bill or visor for a different bill or visor with minimum effort.

In certain embodiments the means for attaching the face mask or face guard to a player's heads comprises a set of straps or bands, preferably comprising at least one rear strap that extends from the side frame regions and around the rear of the player's head and at least one top strap that extends from a portion of the upper frame region over the player's head and attaches to the rear strap. In certain embodiments the top strap may attach directly to the rear strap, or the top strap may connect to one or more retaining straps that connect the top strap to the rear strap.

The straps may be elastic, non-elastic or a combination thereof. The straps may also be adjustable in length to allow the player to tighten or loosen the straps to securely and firmly attach the face mask or face guard to their head.

The removably attached bill or visor is similar to a bill or visor of a typical softball visor or baseball cap, i.e. similar size and shape, however, it has a means for releasably attaching the removable bill or visor to the upper frame region of the face protecting frame.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present example embodiments of the invention and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings are only for purposes of illustrating example embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a face guard in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of a face guard in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top side perspective view of an embodiment of a removably attached bill or visor of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top side perspective view of an embodiment of a removably attached bill or visor of the present invention.

FIGS. 5a and 5b are a top side perspective views of an embodiment of a removably attached bill or visor of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following is a detail description of exemplary embodiments for the face guard in accordance with the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1-5.

As used herein the terms “face mask” and “face guard” will and can be used interchangeably.

As used herein the terms “bill” and “visor” will and can be used interchangeably.

As used herein the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used herein the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The face guard of the present invention will desirably incorporate structural concepts developed based on the distinct ball size for the sport in which the face guard will be used or worn. The face guard should provide a structural barrier that prevents either a softball or baseball from direct contact with a player's face including but not limited to the player's mouth, teeth, nose, eyes, forehead, check bones and jaw. The face guard should be constructed of a light weight material and strategically reinforced and designed to minimize visual obstruction and reduce material and manufacturing costs. Likewise, the face guard should be constructed of strong materials that resist distortion under heavy impact, but which is inexpensive and convenient to use in manufacturing the face guard. Common materials for construction of the frame or barrier elements of the face guard include metal, plastics or a combination thereof.

The face guard of the present invention may also incorporate padding or foam material on the interior portion of the face mask or face guard, i.e, the area closest to the player's face to provide for a comfortable and secure fit. The padding or foam material will also serve to cushion and/or reduce the impact force when a softball or baseball contacts the face guard and may help to absorb or remove sweat from the player's face and head. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by reference numerals 500, the face guard may include a padding or foam material in the lower frame region near the player's chin, the side frame regions and upper frame region may have padding or foam material on the interior portion near the forehead and temple region. The padding or foam material will be placed between the player's face and the face guard to provide a comfortable wearing experience and provide additional protection in the event a softball or baseball contacts the face guard.

Under certain circumstances, it may also be desirable for a player to adjust the position of the padding or foam material or to interchange the padding or foam material of varying shapes, sizes, styles, etc. on a face guard so as to obtain a custom fit, for sanitary purposes, or for any other purpose.

As shown if FIG. 1, the present invention is a face guard, preferably for use by a softball or baseball player comprising:

-   -   (i) a face protecting frame 10 wherein the face protecting frame         comprises: interior surface that is adjacent to the player's         face when the guard is worn, an outer surface that is away from         the player's face when the guard worn, a lower frame region 130         that protects the player's chin, mouth and/or nose area from         contact with a softball or baseball, an upper frame region 140         that protects the player's forehead from contact with a softball         or baseball; side frame regions 150 a and 150 b that connect the         lower and upper frame regions and protect the player's checks,         jaw and/or temple areas from contact with a softball or baseball         and an opening 160 between the lower frame region 130 and upper         frame region 140 that allows the player to see through the face         protecting frame 10 but is sized to prevent the player's eyes         from contact with a softball or baseball;     -   (ii) a means for attaching the face protecting frame 10 to the         head of the player; and     -   (iii) a removably attachable bill or visor 300 that is attached         to the upper frame region 140 of the face protecting frame 10.

The face protecting frame 10 may be formed from metal, plastic or a combination of metal and plastic materials. The face protecting frame 10 may be formed in a single unitary construction such as by injection molding or in separate pieces that were permanently connected or bonded together. The face protecting frame 10 and its individual structural components or regions, i.e lower frame region 130, upper frame region 140 and side frame regions 150 a and 150 b may be of any commonly known shape or structure such as bars, grids, solid or perforated panels provided the construction allows the player to breath and see the field of play while simultaneously protecting the player's face from direct contact with a softball or baseball.

As shown in FIG. 1, the means for attaching the face protecting frame 10 to a player's head may be any means commonly known in the art such as a plurality of straps or bands 201, 202, 203, that extend from various portions of the face protecting frame 10 such as the side frame portions 150 a and 150 b and the upper frame portion 140. The straps or bands may be made of elastic or non-elastic material such as cloth, fabric, foam, plastic, rubber, paper, cardboard or a combination thereof. The straps or bands may be attached to the face protecting frame 10 by any commonly known means such as snaps, buttons, rivets, screws, pins, sewing/stiching, hook and loop (also known as VELCRO®) or adhesives. In one embodiment, the straps or bands are attached to the face protecting frame 10 by weaving or threading the straps or bands thorough openings formed in the upper frame region 140 and openings formed in the side frame regions 150 a and 150 b. The straps or bands may further be threaded through an adjuster, so as to permit a player or user to create a customized fit of the face guard 1.

In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the means for attaching the face protecting frame 10 to a player's head includes a rear head strap 201 that is attached to the face protection frame 10 by weaving one end of the strap through an opening 151 on the side frame region 150 a and an adjuster 250 and the opposite end of the rear head strap 201 is weaved through opening 151 on side frame region 150 b. The rear head strap 201 may be permanently attached to the face protecting frame 10 by sewing/stitching or permanently adhering the free end to the strap to itself once it has been looped or weaved through the opening 151. Alternatively, the rear head strap 201 may be releasably attached by use of releasable fastening means such as a snap, button or hook and loop material. The rear head strap 201 is sized to go around the rear of the player's head when the face guard is worn.

The means for attaching the face protecting frame 10 to the player's head may further comprise a top head strap 202 that extends from a portion of the upper frame region 140 and attaches to the rear head strap 201. In one embodiment, not shown, the top head strap 202 is a single strap that extends from the upper frame region 140 and attaches to the rear head strap 201. The top head strap 202 extends over the top of the player's head when worn. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 the top head strap 202 extends from the upper frame region and divides into two or attaches to two or more retaining straps 203 that are in turn attached to the rear head strap 201. The top head strap 202 and retaining straps 203 may form a “T”, “V” or “W” shape at the attachment point. The top head strap 202 may be attached to the upper frame region in any manner as described previously for the attachment of the rear head strap 201 to the side frame portions 150 a and 150 b, including weaving one end of the top head strap 202 through an opening 141 in the upper frame portion 140 with or without an adjuster 250. The top head strap 202 and/or retaining straps 203 may be connected to the rear head strap 201 by any means previously described including by sewing/stitching, and or adhering the top head strap 202 and/or retaining straps 203 to the rear head strap 201 or by the use of snaps, buttons, hook and loop material. Similarly the top head strap 202 may be attached to the retaining straps 203 by sewing/stitching or adhering together, by the use of snaps, buttons or hook and loop material or combinations thereof.

The removably attachable bill or visor 300 may be attached to the upper frame region by any releasable and reusable means known in the art such as snaps, buttons, adhesive (i.e. glue or double sided tape), hook and loop material or combinations thereof. In one embodiment the removably attachable bill or visor 300 has a releasable and reusable attachment means 301, preferably a hook or loop material on either a top or bottom surface of a portion of the bill or visor 300 and the corresponding hook and loop material on the upper frame region 140 of the face protecting frame 10. In one embodiment, the upper frame region 140 may comprise a structure that projects outwardly from the outer surface of the upper frame region 140 to which the removably attached bill or visor 300 attaches. Alternatively, the removably attached bill attaches to the top surface of the upper frame region 140. These embodiments preferably employs the removably attached bill shown in FIG. 3 wherein the attachement means are located on the top or bottom surface of the removably attached bill or visor 300.

In another embodiment, the upper frame region 140 comprises a smooth or substantially smooth surface to which the removably attachable bill or visor 300 attaches. This embodiment may employ the removably attached bill shown in FIG. 4, 5 a or 5 b.

In a still further embodiment, the removably attached bill may be a combination of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3, 5 a and/or 5 b. In this further embodiment, the attachment means, such as a hook and loop material, will be on the top or bottom surface of the bill and on the “L” shaped flange of the bill. For example, in this further embodiment, the corresponding hook or loop material will be on the structure that projects outwardly from upper frame region 140 for interaction with the hook and loop material on the top or bottom of the bill or visor 300 and on a smooth or substantially smooth surface adjacent to the structure that projects outwardly from the upper frame region 140 for interaction with the hook and loop material on the “L” shaped flange. Alternatively, the corresponding hook or loop material will be on the top surface of the upper frame region 140 for interaction with the hook and loop material on the bottom of the bill or visor 300 and on a smooth or substantially smooth surface on the outer portion of the upper frame region 140 extending downwardly from the top surface of the upper frame region 140 for interaction with the hook and loop material on the “L” shaped flange or the bill or visor 300.

In one embodiment, outer surface of the upper frame region 140 comprises a smooth, flat or substantially smooth and/or flat and the removable bill or visor 300 comprise a “T” shaped flange 303 as shown in FIG. 4 or a “L” shaped flange 304 as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b . In this embodiment, the “T” or “L” shaped flange is used to removably attach the bill or visor 300 to the smooth, flat or substantially smooth or flat surface of the upper frame region 140. This embodiment, allows the player to conform or shape the removably attachable bill or visor 300 to a desired or preferred shape and location. For example, the player may prefer an arch or curve shape to the bill or visor 300. The player may mold or bend the bill or visor 300 to the desired shape then attached the bill or visor 300 to the upper frame region and maintain the desired shape during normal use in a game or practice situation. Similarly, the player can move the bill or visor 300 higher or lower on the upper frame to the desired or preferred position to provide optimal sun and/or light protection.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the removably attachable bill or visor 300 may be formed with an opening 142 to accommodate or interact with the top head strap 202. This opening will allow the top head strap 202 to pass through the removably attachable bill or visor 300 and help to hold the removably attachable bill or visor 300 in place and attached to the face protecting frame 10. Alternatively, the removably attachable bill or visor 300 may have a notch or cut out to accommodate the top head strap 202.

In addition to allowing the player to adjust the removably attachable bill or visor 300 to the desired or optimal shape and placement on the face protecting frame, the present invention further allows the removably attachable bill or visor 300 to be changed for different colored bill or visors 300 thereby allowing the player to use the same face guard when playing on different teams during the course of a seasons such as a school team and a travel or community team. It also allows the player to customize the bill or visor 300 to the team color from season to season.

The present invention also allows the player to easily and quickly replace a bill or visor 300 to accommodate a particular condition or position. For example, on a very bright sunny day the player may wish to use a bill or visor that is larger, i.e. longer to provide better sun or light protection.

The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, in each instance herein, any of the terms “comprising,” “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” may be replaced with either of the other two terms. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the claims. 

I claim:
 1. A face guard for use by a softball or baseball player comprising: (i) a face protecting frame wherein the face protecting frame comprises: a lower frame region; an upper frame region; side frame regions; (ii) a means for attaching the face protecting frame to the player's head; and (iii) a removably attachable bill or visor that is attached to the upper frame region of the face protecting frame by a releasable and reusable attachment means.
 2. The face guard of claim 1 wherein the bill or visor attaches to a smooth or flat surface of the upper frame region.
 3. The face guard of claim 1 wherein the bill or visor attached to a projection extending outwardly from the upper frame region.
 4. The face guard of claim 1 wherein the bill or visor comprises a “T” shaped flange for attaching the bill or visor to the upper frame region.
 5. The face guard of claim 1 wherein the bill or visor comprises a “L” shaped flange for attaching the bill or visor to the upper frame region.
 6. The face guard of claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the face protecting frame to the player's head comprise a set of straps or bands.
 7. The face guard of claim 6 wherein the set of straps or bands comprise at least one rear strap or band that extends from the side frame regions and around the rear of the player's head and at least one top strap or band that extends from a portion of the upper frame region over the player's head and attaches to the at least one rear strap.
 8. The face guard of claim 1 wherein the releasable and reusable attachment means is selected from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, adhesive, hook and loop material or a combination thereof.
 9. A face guard for use by a softball or baseball player comprising: (i) a face protecting frame wherein the face protecting frame comprises: a lower frame region; an upper frame region; side frame regions; (ii) at least one strap or band for attaching the face protecting frame to the player's head; and (iii) a removably attachable bill or visor that is attached to the upper frame region of the face protecting frame by a releasable and reusable attachment means selected from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, adhesive, hook and loop material or a combination thereof.
 10. The face guard of claim 9 wherein the bill or visor attaches to a smooth or flat surface of the upper frame region.
 11. The face guard of claim 9 wherein the bill or visor attached to a projection extending outwardly from the upper frame region.
 12. The face guard of claim 9 wherein the bill or visor comprises a “T” shaped flange for attaching the bill or visor to the upper frame region.
 13. The face guard of claim 9 wherein the bill or visor comprises a “L” shaped flange for attaching the bill or visor to the upper frame region. 